Apparatus for forging

ABSTRACT

Forging means are shown wherein a heating device is located around the dies so that the heat can be controlled while the press is being operated. Means are provided to place an inert atmosphere or vacuum around the dies while they are forging a billet. Chambers are located adjacent the forging means to preheat one billet while another billet is being forged and also to insert and remove a billet without losing much of the heat or forging atmosphere.

United States Patent Moore et al.

APPARATUS FOR FORGING Inventors: Joseph B. Moore, Tequesta; Roy L.

Athey, North Palm Beach, both of Fla.

Assignee: United Aircraft Corporation, East Hartford, Conn.

Filed: May 10, 1971 App]. N0.: 141,528

US. Cl. ..72/38, 72/342, 72/361 Int. Cl ..B2lj 1/06, B21j 13/10 Field of Search ....72/38, 342, 361,364; 100/92,

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 10/1950 Jungersen et al. ..72/342 1 Oct. 17, 1972 2,944,500 7/1960 Raynes ..72/342 3,342,055 9/1967 Blankenship et a1. ..72/38 3,350,906 11/1967 Levinson et a1. ..72/342 3,461,709 8/1969 McMillen ..72/3 42 3,584,487 6/1971 Carlson ..72/38 Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney-Jack N. McCarthy [57] ABSTRACT 17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR FORGING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to close tolerance forging of high strength alloys as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,519,503 and more particularly to the means for making said forgings.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to provide a forging apparatus which can heat a billet while it is being forged so that a precise temperature and forging strain rate can be achieved.

In accordance with the present invention, the billet being forged is maintained in an inert atmosphere or under a vacuum.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a forging arrangement includes a means for heating billets for introduction into a press without disturbing the inert atmosphere or vacuum around the press. The invention permits the handling of more than one billet to reduce the time required for forging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one modification of a forging apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of another modification of a forging apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the forging apparatus of FIG. 2 used in an assembly-line manner.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIG. 1, a press is shown having a stationary bed 1 and movable ram 2. While no specific means have been shown to move said ram 2, any means desired can be used providing the desired force. The press selected applies the force to move the base of a cover assembly 20 fixed to the ram 2 towards the base plate of a cover assembly 21 which is fixed to the bed 1. Upper and lower primary dies 3 and 4 are fixed to the upper and lower base plates of the cover assemblies 20 and 21, respectively. A plurality of bolts 7 extend through the base plates of the cover assemblies into the primary dies, said primary dies being made of a suitable material such as Waspaloy. Said primary dies 3 and 4 have upper and lower centering dies 5 and 6 fixed thereto, said centering dies being conically shaped and mating with the cooperating faces of the adjacent primary die, said conical angles being approximately 5 Said centering dies are secured to the primary dies by a plurality of bolts 8.

Upper and lower forging dies 9 and 10, made of a suitable material such as TZM Molybdenum, are fixed to the upper and lower centering dies 5 and 6, respectively, with adjacent cooperating faces mating to center the dies. Said forging dies are secured to the centering dies by a plurality of bolts 12 and can be made of a suitable material such as molybdenum. The dies may be cooled if necessary by the use of passage means with a coolant supply directed therethrough. In FIG. 1, an annular passage means 16 is located in die 3 and 4 with tubes for directing a coolant to and from. Access is had to bolts 12 through openings 14 aligned therewith in the bottom of said annular passage means. A cover 31 permits access to the annular passage means 16 and openings 14. A centrally positioned opening 18 extends vertically through each base plate of a cover assembly, primary die, centering die and forging die to provide for a knock-out pin 29. This pin 29 can be actuated by any means desired to push out a finished part when necessary.

An electrical induction heating element 19, which is substantially cylindrical is arranged to be positioned around said dies when they are in operation (see FIG. 1). The heating element 19 is divided into an upper and lower section. The upper section is a hollow copper tube 26 which forms a spiral throughout its length and is embedded in a material, which can be a potting compound, to fixedly position the tubing. This tube 26 has a circular cross section. The copper tube 26 has an inlet section 26A and an outlet section 268. The inlet section 26A and outlet section 26B are connected to a suitable power supply which feeds power into the upper secton of the heating element. A coolant from a supply is directed through the interior of the tubing 26 to provide a cooling function. The coolant can be, for example, water, and any means desired for controlling the flow can be used.

The lower section has a copper tubing 28 which forms a spiral throughout its length and is embedded in the material of the element 19 to fixedly position the tubing. This tubing 28 has an oblong cross section. The tubing 28 has an inlet section 28A and an outlet section 28B. The inlet secton 28A and outlet section 28B are connected to a suitable power supply which feeds power to the lower section of the heating element. A coolant from a supply is directed through the interior of the tubing 28 to provide a cooling function. As before, the cooling can be, for example, water, and any means desired for controlling the flow can be used.

The heating element 19 is fixed to the base plate of the upper cover assembly 20 by a plurality of arms 30 which project downwardly therefrom around the exterior of the heating element. In this modification, three arms were used. A plurality of short arms 32 extend from around the heating element at approximately its center point towards each arm 30 and a plurality of short arms 34 extend from around the heating element at its upper end towards each arm 30. The free ends of each of the arms 32 and 34 are fixed to their cooperating arms 30 by bolts 36, or other fastening means. Each arm 30 is fixed to the base plate of the upper cover as sembly at 40 by any means desired. This arrangement permits the heating element to move when the ram moves.

Cover assembly 20 has a cylindrical cover member 50 fixed to its base plate at 52 which extends downwardly therefrom to a point adjacent the end of the heating element 19. At a point approximately midway of its length, a plurality of flanges 54 extend inwardly from the member 50 towards each arm 30 and are connected to a mating flange 56 on the arm by a bolt 58. This attachment adds rigidity to the structure.

Cover assembly 21 has a cylindrical cover member 60 fixed to its base plate at 62 which projects upwardly therefrom to a location just short of the face of the lower forging die 10. This cover member 60 extends around the cover member 50 and has an enlarged ring member 64 fixed to its upper end as by welding. A seal member 66 is positioned in a groove in the ring member 64 fixed to its upper end and abuts the outer wall of the cover member 50 to aid in sealing. Another cylindrical member 51 is fixedly connected to he outer surface of the cover member 50 through a spacing ring 68. This cover member 51 is spaced from the outer surface of the ring member 64 and a second seal 70 is positioned between a groove in the ring 64 and the inner surface of the cover member 51.

The inlet sections 26A and 28A and the outlet sections 26B and 28B of the copper heating coils extend through a seal member 72 which is fixed in the wall of the cover member 50.

An evacuation port 80 is formed in the wall of the upper cover member 50. This port is utilized for removing air or other gases trapped within said cover members. A conduit 82 is provided to introduce a gas into the interior of the cover members from a supply 90 to obtain a desired gas within said cover members and to control the pressure thereof. Valve means 92 and 94 are operated to obtain the desired flow through said cover members.

With reference to FIG. 2, a press is shown having a stationary bed 1 and a movable ram 2. The press selected applies the force to move the base plate 100 which is fixed to the ram 2 towards the base plate 102 which is fixed to the bed 1. Upper and lower primary dies 103 and 104 are fixed to the upper and lower base plates 100 and 102, respectively. Any means desired can fix the dies to these base plates. Said primary dies have upper and lower intermediate dies 105 and 106 secured to the open face thereof.

Upper and lower forging dies 109 and 110 are secured to the intermediate dies by a plurality of bolts 107 and the intermediate dies are secured to the upper and lower primary dies by a plurality of bolts 108. Openings 113 give access to the bolts 108. An opening 112 extends through the upper and lower base plates and through the primary and intermediate dies and a short distance into the forging dies. Centering dowels 114, 116 and 118 are used to stack the dies properly in relation from one to the other wherein each die stack has a cylindrical form. The lower set of dies has large dowels with aligned openings therein so a knock-out pin 121 can be used. Means below the bed 1 actuate the pin to move it axially so that it can remove the forging if necessary.

A cover assembly is mounted for movement around each die stack. The upper cover assembly 120 comprises a cylindrical member 122 having a plate 124 fixed to the top thereof, said top plate 124 having an opening therein to permit movement around the die stack. Sealing means are provided between the opening and the die stack. This sealing means comprises a ring member 126 fixed to the opening in the plate 124. A second ring member 128 is bolted to the top of said ring 126 by a plurality of bolts 130. An annular groove extends around the inner edge of the ring member 128 into which is received a sealing member formed of a silicon rubber envelope surrounding an asbestos core. As the bolts 130 are tightened and the ring member 128 brought towards ring 126, the sealing member is squeezed inwardly therefrom to make a tighter seal with the die stack.

The cylindrical member 122 is shorter than upper die stack so that when it is moved upwardly as far as possible, the die stack will protrude below the bottom thereof. A plurality of rods 132 are fixed to the plate 124 and extend downwardly therefrom for approximately the length of the cylindrical member 122. An electrical induction heating element 136 is connected to these arms and held in position thereby. The heating element forms a spiral throughout its length and has an inlet 139 and outlet 140. Quick connect-disconnect plugs 142 are located in the wall of the cylindrical member 122. This heating element is similar to that described in FIG. 1. A suitable power source and coolant source is connected to the plugs 142. An insulating sleeve 144 and a susceptor 136 are secured to said heating element with the susceptor being positioned closest to the die stack, said susceptor being utilized for uniformity of heat flux emanating from said heating element.

A plurality of arms 150 project outwardly from the bottom edge of the cylindrical member 122. These arms are connected at their free end to the base plate by a cylinder and piston unit 152 which provides the actuating movement of the upper cover assembly 120.

A lower cover assembly 160 is formed substantially like the upper cover assembly and is positioned around the lower die stack in the same manner. The lower cylindrical member of the lower cover assembly is shorter than the lower die stack so that when the cylindrical member is moved downwardly, the die stack will protrude above the upper edge.

Each open end of the cylindrical members have a ring member located thereon. These ring members have mating surfaces at 153 to provide a seal therebetween. When the cover assemblies are together in preparation for a pressing operation, the rings can be held together by any means desired such as by bolts.

A control unit 300 is provided to direct fluid to one end of a cylinder while connecting the other end to drain so as to move the piston therein. The control unit 300 can be manually operated to direct operating fluid to the adjacent inner ends of the cylinders to open the cover assemblies and to the outer ends to close the cover assemblies. These assemblies have the mating surfaces 153 positioned at approximately the center of the billet as the forging process starts. Sensing means 302 senses the downward movement of the ram 2 and automatically operates the control unit 300 to move both cover assemblies 120 and downwardly during the forging operation to maintain the mating surface 153 at approximately the center of the billet as it changes size.

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, means are provided to purge the system and provide a desired gas and/or pressure therein. A vacuum can also be formed. An inlet 158 is used for this purpose and an outlet 162. Any desired valving means can be used to obtain the desired action.

With reference to FIG. 3, an installation is shown to production line of close tolerance forgings. A press is shown schematicallysuch as is shown in detail in FIG. 2. The bed 1B is fixedly positioned and the ram 2A is positioned thereover for movement relative thereto to provide a pressing action between the forging dies 109A and 1108. The heating elements 136A and 1368 are positioned for movement around the die and have a susceptor 146A and 1468 included which are movable by cylinder and piston units 152A and 1.5213.

A closure 170 extends upwardly from the bed 18 and is positioned around the ram 2A so that it has movement up and down within the closure. Seal means 172 are provided between the ram 2A and the closure 170. A knock-out pin 111 extends through the bed and stack of dies mounted thereon including forging die 110B and is located at the center of the stack of dies. This knock-out pin 111 can be actuated by any means desired.

Doors 174 and 176 are positioned in the sides of the closure 170 at diametrically opposed positions relative to the forging dies. A chamber 178 is formed by a closure member 180 fixed to the closure member 170 externally thereof around the door 174. The closure member 180 has a door 182 which is located in line with both of the doors 174 and 176 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The door 174 is formed so as to be slideably movable up and down between a closed and open position. While the door can be actuated by any means desired, an electrical motor 184 is used to turn an externally threaded rod member 186 in an internally threaded boss 138 fixed to the door. More than one actuating means can be used if necessary. The door 182 is pivotally mounted at its top edge at 190. While this door can be actuated by any means desired, a handle 192 is located on the front of the door. Latch means 181 are provided to maintain the door 182 in a closed position.

A chamber 193 is formed by a closure member 194 fixed to the closure member 170 externally thereof around the door 176. The closure member 194 has a door 196 which is located in line with both of the doors 176 and 174 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The door 176 is formed so as to be slideably movable up and down between the closed and open position. While the door can be actuated by any means desired, an electrical motor 198 is used to turn an externally threaded rod member 200 in an internally threaded boss 202 fixed to the door. More than one actuating means can be used if necessary. The door 196 is pivotally mounted at its top edge at 197. While this door can be actuated by any means desired, a handle 199 is located on the front of the door. Latch means 181 are provided to maintain the door 196 in a closed position.

It can be seen that the doors 182, 174, 176, and 196 are aligned and a center line therethrough passes through the center of the forging die 1103. Track members 204 extend through said chamber 178, closure member 170 and chamber 193 to permit a cart to travel therealong. The bottoms of the closure members 180 and 194 have extensions 210 and 212, respectively, which extend outwardly therefrom to support the track 204 as it extends from the chambers. Support legs 214 and 216 are used to hold up the free end of the ex tensions 210 and 212.

Carts 250 and 251 are provided to ride on said track members and provide the moving means for a billet and forged member as it passes through the installation. Cart 250 is a cart used in association with chamber 178 and cart 251 is a cart used in association with chamber 193. In the arrangement shown, a rod 256 is connected to the cart 250 and has a handle 258 which extends through an opening when the door 182 is closed. The rod 256 has a stop member 253 fixed thereto which limits the movement of the cart 250 into the closure member to properly position the cart with respect to the knock-out pin 111 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The door 182 is formed around its edges to seal the chamber 178, arrangements being made at the bottom of the door for sealing with the rod 256 and track members 204.

As seen in FIG. 4, a slot 250A is formed in the end of cart 250 which faces closure member 170 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, a rod 255 is connected to the cart 251 and has a handle 257 which extends through an opening when the door 196 is closed. The door 196 is formed around its edges to seal the chamber 193, arrangements being made at the bottom of the door for sealing with the rod 255 and track members 204.

The interior of the closure member has a heating element 220 on the sides and top to preheat the chamber as desired. A quick connect-disconnect plug 222 is located on the top of the closure member 180 to connect the heating element to a suitable power supply.

The closure member 180 has a conduit 230 connected control therewith which is in turn connected to an inert gas supply 232. A valve means 234 is included in conduit 230 to control gas flow from the supply 232. An outlet passageway 236 is provided for purging the closure member 170. A valve member 238 is located in said passageway to control the flow therethrough. The gas introduced from this supply 232 could be, for example, argon. A suction means 171 is connected to the closure member 170 by a passageway 237 through a valve 239. If a vacuum is desired within the closure member 170, the suction means could be operated to provide this. The valve 238 can be used for bleed as necessary.

Each of the closure members 180 and 194 have an inert gas supply 232A and 2328, respectively, connected thereto by a conduit and valve means. These closure members 180 and 194 also have a suction means 171A and 1718, respectively, attached thereto through a conduit and valve means to draw a vacuum in either of the closure members. A conduit and valve means 260 are also provided in each of the closure members 180 and 194 to aid in purging the closure members for the admission of the inert gas or to aid in bleeding the chamber when it is under a vacuum.

The arrangement as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 would operate as follows:

1. Door 182 is opened and a cart 250 is positioned on track 204 on extension 210. A billet 252 is placed on said cart 250 centered over the closed end of the slot 250A and it is moved into the preheat chamber 178. The door 182 is then closed. If the forging is to be done in an inert atmosphere, such as argon, the inert gas can be injected into chamber 178 from supply 232A through its associated conduit and valve means and the chamber can be purged by the use of conduit and valve means 260. When the desired argon content and pressure is reached the necessary valve means are closed. If the forging is to be done in a vacuum, the chamber can be pumped down through the suction means 171A. The heating element 220 is connected to its power supply through plug 222 to preheat the billet 252 to a predetermined temperature.

2. When the billet has been preheated, door 174 is opened (chamber formed by closure member 170 already containing a like atmosphere of chamber 178) and cart 250 is moved into the closure member 170 and positioned so that the center of the billet 252 is over the center of the knock-out pin 111. Knock-out pin 111 is raised and passes through the end of the slot 250A to lift the billet 252 off of the cart and permit the cart to be withdrawn back into chamber 178. The knock-out pin is lowered until the billet 252 is resting in position for forging on the bottom die 110B. (If there is any question concerning the balancing of the billet 252 on the knock-out pin 111 the upper die 109A can be moved downwardly to within a short distance from the top of the billet 252 and then the knock-out pin 111 will move the billet upwardly against the upper die 109A so that when the cart is removed, the billet will be solidly held. Both the knock-out pin 111 and the upper die 109A can then be moved downwardly together until the billet rests on the bottom die 110B).

3. Door 174 is then closed and the cylinder and piston units 152A and 152B are operated to position the susceptors 146A and 1468 along with the heating elements around the forging dies 109A and 1 103. Once these members have been brought together, they are held in that position. The billet is then stabilized at a predetermined forging temperature and the upper die is moved downwardly to provide the proper force for the forging.

4. While step 3 is being performed, step 1 is repeated with another billet 252A. To repeat the step 1, chamber 178 is bled to atmosphere through conduit and valve means 260 if a vacuum is being used.

It can be seen here that while the first billet 252 is being operated on by the press, the second billet 252A is being preheated in the chamber 178.

5. Upon completion of the forging operation, the susceptors 146A and 146B along with the heating elements are separated and withdrawn to their position with respect to the die stacks as shown in FIG. 3. The upper die 109A is then raised partially from the lower die 1108. The knock-out pin 111 is then raised a distance to permit the cart 251 to fit under the forged member. If the forging is being done in an inert atmosphere, the chamber 193 is placed at the same inert atmosphere by gas supply 232A through its associated conduit and valve means. Door 176 is opened and cart 251 is moved into the closure member 170 and positioned so that the knock-out pin 111 is in the slot 251. If the forging is being done in a vacuum the chamber 193 is pumped down by vacuum means 1718 through its associated conduit and valve means. The door 176 then can be opened and the cart 251 positioned in the manner just referred to. With the knock-out pin 111 in this position, it is then lowered until the forged member is resting on the cart 251. The cart 251 with the forged member thereon is moved into the chamber 193. The door 176 is then closed. If the forging is being done in a vacuum the chamber 193 is connected to atmosphere by conduit and and valve means 260 to increase the pressure therein to that of the surrounding atmosphere so that door 196 can be opened and the forged member removed.

6. This is step 2 repeated for preheated billet 252A.

7. This is step 3 repeated for preheated billet 252A.

8. This is step 4 repeated for a new billet 2528.

It can be seen that in the manner described, forgings may be made on continuous or production basis using dies which are maintained heated and protected from an oxidizing atmosphere.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for forging having a stationary bed and having ram thereover, a lower die connected to said bed, an upper die connected to said ram for engaging said lower die, means for moving said ram, heating means for heating said dies during the forging operation, closure means extending around the matingsurfaces of said dies and the adjacent portions of the dies, said closure means being formed in two parts, one part of said closure means being slidably mounted around said lower die, the other part of said closure means being slidably mounted around said upper die, means for moving said .closure parts up and down to have accessibility to the dies, a knock-out pin movable in said lower die for removing a forged part therefrom, said moving means having means for repositioning the closure members at a predetermined location as the forging operation progresses.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heating means is formed in two parts, one part being mounted for movement around said lower die, and the other part being mounted for movement around said upper die.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the two parts of said heating means are movable towards each other so that their adjacent ends abut at approximately the center of the opposing die faces held apart by a billet therein.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein means are provided to maintain the mating ends of the heating means at approximately the center of the space between the die faces as they move together during a forging operation.

5. An apparatus for forging having a stationary bed and movable ram thereover; a lower die connected to said bed; an upper die connected to said ram for engaging said lower die; means for moving said ram; first clo sure means extending around said upper and lower dies; said ram being movable within said first closure means; heating means for heating said dies during the forging operation; second closure means fixed to and extending outwardly from one side of said first closure means; third closure means fixed to and extending outwardly from the opposite side of said first closure means; first door means located between said first closure means and said second closure means; second door means located between said third closure means and said first closure means; said second closure means having third door means which opens to the exterior of said second closure means; said third closure means having fourth door means which opens to the exterior of said third closure means; track means extending through said second closure means, first closure means, and third closure means; first carrier means movable along said track means for moving an object to be forged from said second closure means to said first closure means; and second carrier means for moving a forged object from said first closure means to said third closure means; means for removing an object to be forged from said first carrier means for engagement by said lower and upper dies and for placing a forged object on said second carrier means.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim wherein said heating means is formed in two parts, one part being mounted for movement around said lower die and the other part being mounted for movement around said upper die.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said last named means is a knock-out pin movable in said lower die.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said second closure member has heating means for heating an object to be forged.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein means are provided to place said first, second, and third closure means under an inert gas pressure; means for purging said first closure member, second closure member,

.and third closure member.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth door means are located in line with the center of said lower die.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first carrier means has a groove therein for permitting said knock-out pin to extend therethrough to lift an object to be forged off of said first carrier means; said groove permitting the first carrier means to be withdrawn from said first closure means.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second carrier means has a groove therein for permitting said knock-out pin to extend therethrough to lift a forged object off of said second carrier means; said groove permitting the second carrier means to be withdrawn from said first closure means.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first carrier means includes means for positioning said first carrier means precisely over said knock-out pin so that it can extend through :said groove directly beneath the object to be forged.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first door means and said second door means are sliding doors which move upwardly to connect the respective closure means; means for actuating said doors to provide a minimum loss of heat and atmosphere from the first closure means.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said ram slidably engages said first closure means; seal means located between said ram and said first closure means.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein means for actuating said first door means and means for actuating said second door means are connected to the exterior of the first closure means.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein means are provided to place said first, second, and third closure means under a vacuum.

V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,698,219 Date d October 17. 197;-

Inventor-(s) 1 LN. Athe y and Joseph B. Moore It is certified that-error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

ON THE TITLE PAGE After the ABSTRACT, change "17 Claims" to --l8 Claims- IN THE CLAIMS Claim l, column 8, line 12, change "having" to --movable--;

Column 10, add the following claim which was omitted from the original patent:

Claim 18. An apparatus for forging having a first die and a second die, said dies being aligned for a forging operation, said first and second dies being mounted for relative movement therebetween, means for moving one of said dies, heating means for heating said dies during the forging operation, closure means extending around the mating surfaces of said dies and the adjacent portions of the dies, said heating means having two portions, one portion of said heating means being slidably mounted around said first die, the other portion of said heating means being slidably mounted around said second die said closure means having means for providing accessibility to the dies, knock-out means for removing a forged part from one of said dies, said moving means having means for repositioning the heating means at a predetermined location as the forging operation progresses. Y

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of January 1973 V a .1 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M-FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTT SCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. An apparatus for forging having a stationary bed and having ram thereover, a lower die connected to said bed, an upper die connected to said ram for engaging said lower die, means for moving said ram, heating means for heating said dies during the forging operation, closure means extending around the mating surfaces of said dies and the adjacent portions of the dies, said closure means being formed in two parts, one part of said closure means being slidably mounted around said lower die, the other part of said closure means being slidably mounted around said upper die, means for moving said closure parts up and down to have accessibility to the dies, a knock-out pin movable in said lower die for removing a forged part therefrom, said moving means having means for repositioning the closure members at a predetermined location as the forging operation progresses.
 2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heating means is formed in two parts, one part being mounted for movement around said lower die, and the other part being mounted for movement around said upper die.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the two parts of said heating means are movable towards each other so that their adjacent ends abut at approximately the center of the opposing die faces held apart by a billet therein.
 4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein means are provided to maintain the mating ends of the heating means at approximately the center of the space between the die faces as they move together during a forging operation.
 5. An apparatus for forging having a stationary bed and movable ram thereover; a lower die connected to said bed; an upper die connected to said ram for engaging said lower die; means for moving said ram; first closure means extending around said upper and lower dies; said ram being movable within said first closure means; heating means for heating said dies during the forging operation; second closure means fixed to and extending outwardly from one side of said first closure means; third closure means fixed to and extending outwardly from the opposite side of said first closure means; first door means located between said first closure means and said second closure means; second door means located between said third closure means and said first closure means; said second closure means having third door means which opens to the exterior of said second closure means; said third closure means having fourth door means which opens to the exterior of said third closure means; track means extending through said second closure means, first closure means, and third closure means; first carrier means movable along said track means for moving an object to be forged from said second closure means to said first closure means; and second carrier means for moving a forged object from said first closure means to said third closure means; means for removing an object to be forged from said first carrier means for engagement by said lower and upper dies and for placing a forged object on said second carrier means.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said heating means is formed in two parts, one part being mounted for movement around said lower die and the other part being mounted for movement around said upper die.
 7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said last named means is a knock-out pin movable in said lower die.
 8. An apparatus as set forth in clAim 5 wherein said second closure member has heating means for heating an object to be forged.
 9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein means are provided to place said first, second, and third closure means under an inert gas pressure; means for purging said first closure member, second closure member, and third closure member.
 10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth door means are located in line with the center of said lower die.
 11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first carrier means has a groove therein for permitting said knock-out pin to extend therethrough to lift an object to be forged off of said first carrier means; said groove permitting the first carrier means to be withdrawn from said first closure means.
 12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second carrier means has a groove therein for permitting said knock-out pin to extend therethrough to lift a forged object off of said second carrier means; said groove permitting the second carrier means to be withdrawn from said first closure means.
 13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first carrier means includes means for positioning said first carrier means precisely over said knock-out pin so that it can extend through said groove directly beneath the object to be forged.
 14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first door means and said second door means are sliding doors which move upwardly to connect the respective closure means; means for actuating said doors to provide a minimum loss of heat and atmosphere from the first closure means.
 15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said ram slidably engages said first closure means; seal means located between said ram and said first closure means.
 16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein means for actuating said first door means and means for actuating said second door means are connected to the exterior of the first closure means.
 17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein means are provided to place said first, second, and third closure means under a vacuum. 